Inbred corn line PHN82

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, there is provided an inbred corn line, designated PHN82. This invention thus relates to the plants and seeds of inbred corn line PHN82 and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred line PHN82 with itself or with another corn plant. This invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PHN82 with another corn line or plant and to crosses with related species.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation in part of prior copending application Ser. No.07/860,666filed Mar. 30, 1992, now abandoned, which was a division ofapplication Ser. No. 07/402,010, Aug. 30, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No.5,157,206.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of corn breeding, specifically relatingto an inbred corn line designated PHN82.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of plant breeding is to combine in a single variety/hybridvarious desirable traits. For field crops, these traits may includeresistance to diseases and insects, tolerance to heat and drought,reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and better agronomicquality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plantcharacteristics such as germination and stand establishment, growthrate, maturity, and fruit size, is important.

Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of theplant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen fromone flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the sameplant. A plant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower ona different plant.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny. A cross between twohomozygous lines produce a uniform population of hybrid plants that maybe heterozygous for many gene loci. A cross of two plants eachheterozygous at a number of gene loci will produce a population ofhybrid plants that differ genetically and will not be uniform.

Corn plants (Zea mays L.) can be bred by both self-pollination andcross-pollination techniques. Corn has separate male and female flowerson the same plant located on the tassel and the ear, respectively.Natural pollination occurs in corn when wind blows pollen from thetassels to the silks that protrude from the tops of the incipient ears.

The development of corn hybrids requires the development of homozygousinbred lines, the crossing of these lines, and the evaluation of thecrosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection breeding methods areused to develop inbred lines from breeding populations. Breedingprograms combine the genetic backgrounds from two or more inbred linesor various other broad-based sources into breeding pools from which newinbred lines are developed by selfing and selection of desiredphenotypes. The new inbreds are crossed with other inbred lines and thehybrids from these crosses are evaluated to determine which of thosehave commercial potential.

Pedigree breeding for single-gene traits starts with the crossing of twogenotypes, each of which may have one or more desirable characteristicsthat is lacking in the other or which complement the other. If the twooriginal parents do not provide all of the desired characteristics,other sources can be included in the breeding population. In thepedigree method, superior plants are selfed and selected in successivegenerations. In the succeeding generations the heterozygous conditiongives way to homogeneous lines as a result of self-pollination andselection. Typically in the pedigree method of breeding five or moregenerations of selfing and selection is practiced: F₁ →F₂ ; F₂ →F₃ ; F₃→F₄ ; F₄ →F₅, etc.

Backcrossing can be used to improve an inbred line. Backcrossingtransfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or source to aninbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished for example byfirst crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to a donorinbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate gene(s) forthe trait in question. The progeny of this cross is then mated back tothe superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection in the resultantprogeny for the desired trait to be transferred from the non-recurrentparent. After five or more backcross generations with selection for thedesired trait, the progeny will be heterozygous for loci controlling thecharacteristic being transferred, but will be like the superior parentfor most or almost all other genes. The last backcross generation wouldbe selfed to give pure breeding progeny for the gene(s) beingtransferred.

A single cross hybrid corn variety is the cross of two inbred lines,each of which has .a genotype which complements the genotype of theother. The hybrid progeny of the first generation is designated F₁. Inthe development of hybrids only the F₁ hybrid plants are sought.Preferred F₁ hybrids are more vigorous than their inbred parents. Thishybrid vigor, or heterosis, can be manifested in many polygenic traits,including increased vegetative growth and increased yield.

The development of a hybrid corn variety involves three steps: (1) theselection of plants from various germplasm pools; (2) the selfing of theselected plants for several generations to produce a series of inbredlines, which, although different from each other, each breed true andare highly uniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lines withunrelated inbred lines to produce the hybrid progeny (F₁). During theinbreeding process in corn, the vigor of the lines decreases. Vigor isrestored when two unrelated inbred lines are crossed to produce thehybrid progeny (F₁). An important consequence of the homozygosity andhomogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid between any twoinbreds will always be the same. Once the inbreds that give a superiorhybrid have been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproducedindefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred parents ismaintained.

A single cross hybrid is produced when two inbred lines are crossed toproduce the F₁ progeny. A double cross hybrid is produced from fourinbred lines crossed in pairs (A×B and C×D) and then the two F₁ hybridsare crossed again (A×B)×(C×D). Much of the hybrid vigor exhibited by F₁hybrids is lost in the next generation (F₂). Consequently, seed fromhybrid varieties is not used for planting stock.

Corn is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a continuing goal ofplant breeders is to develop high-yielding corn hybrids that areagronomically sound based on stable inbred lines. The reasons for thisgoal are obvious: to maximize the amount of grain produced with theinputs used and minimize susceptibility to environmental stresses. Toaccomplish this goal, the corn breeder must select and develop superiorinbred parental lines for producing hybrids. This requiresidentification and selection of genetically unique individuals which ina segregating population occur as the result of a combination ofcrossover events plus the independent assortment of specificcombinations of alleles at many gene loci which results in specificgenotypes. Based on the number of segregating genes, the frequency ofoccurrence of an individual with a specific genotype is less than 1 in10,000. Thus, even if the entire genotype of the parents has beencharacterized and the desired genotype is known, only a few if anyindividuals having the desired genotype may be found in a large F₂ or S₀population. Typically, however, the genotype of neither the parents northe desired genotype is known in any detail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a novel inbred corn line,designated PHN82. This invention thus relates to the seeds of inbredcorn line PHN82, to the plants of inbred corn line PHN82, and to methodsfor producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred line PHN82with itself or another corn line. This invention further relates tohybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PHN82with another corn line or a related species.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and examples that follow, a number of terms are usedherein. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms,the following definitions are provided:

BAR PLT=BARREN PLANTS. This is the number of plants per plot that werenot barren (lack ears).

BRT STK=BRITTLE STALKS. This is a measure of the stalk breakage near thetime of pollination, and is an indication of whether a hybrid or inbredwould snap or break near the time of flowering under severe winds. Dataare presented as percentage of plants that did not snap.

BU ACR=YIELD (BUSHELS/ACRE). Actual yield of the grain at harvestadjusted to 15.5% moisture. ABS is in absolute terms and % MN is percentof the mean for the experiments in which the inbred or hybrid was grown.

CLD TST=COLD TEST. This is the percentage of kernels that germinateunder cold soil conditions. ABS=absolute measurement and % MN ispercentage of mean of the experiments in which inbred or hybrid wasgrown.

COB SC=COB SCORE. The cob score is a rating of how well the grain isshelled off the cob and how badly the cob is broken up going through thecombine. This is given as a 1 to 9 score with 9 being very good. A highscore indicates that the grain shells off of the cob well, and the cobdoes not break.

DRP EAR=DROPPED EARS. This is a measure of the number of dropped earsper plot and represents the percentage of plants that did not drop earsprior to harvest.

EAR HT=EAR HEIGHT. The ear height is a measure from the ground to thetop developed ear node attachment and is measured in inches.

EAR SZ=EAR SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating of ear size. The higher therating the larger the ear size.

EST CNT=EARLY STAND COUNT. This is a measure of the stand establishmentin the spring and represents the number of plants that emerge on a perplot basis for the inbred or hybrid.

GDU SHD=GDU TO SHED. The number of growing degree units (GDUs) or heatunits required for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50percent of the plants shedding pollen and is measured from the time ofplanting. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method,where the heat units for a 24-hour period are: ##EQU1##

The highest maximum temperature used is 86° F. and the lowest minimumtemperature used is 50° F. For each inbred or hybrid it takes a certainnumber of GDUs to reach various stages of plant development.

GDU SLK=GDU TO SILK. The number of growing degree units required for aninbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plantswith silk emergence from time of planting. Growing degree units arecalculated by the Barger Method as given in GDU SHD definition.

GRN QUL=GRAIN QUALITY. This is a 1 to 9 rating for the general qualityof the shelled grain as it is harvested based on such factors as thecolor of the harvested grain, any mold on the grain, and any crackedgrain. High scores indicate good grain quality.

KER LB=KERNELS PER POUND. This is the number of kernels per 0.1 pound.

KSZ L=KERNEL SIZE LARGE. Percentage by weight of shelled corn thatpasses through a screen with 25/64 inch diameter openings but does notpass through a screen with 22/64 inch diameter openings.

KSZ MF=KERNEL SIZE MEDIUM FLAT. Percentage by weight of shelled cornthat passes through a screen with 22/64 inch diameter openings and ascreen with 13/64 inch wide slot screen but does not pass through ascreen with 18.5/64 inch diameter openings.

KSZ MR=KERNEL SIZE MEDIUM ROUND. Percentage by weight of shelled cornthat passes through a screen with 22/64 inch diameter openings but doesnot pass through a 13/64 inch wide slot screen or a screen with 18.5/64inch diameter openings.

KSZ S=KERNEL SIZE SMALL. Percentage by weight of shelled corn thatpasses through a screen with 18.5/64 inch diameter openings but does notpass through a screen with 16/64 inch diameter openings.

KSZ TIP=KERNEL SIZE TIPS. Percentage by weight of shelled corn thatpasses through a screen with 16/64 inch diameter openings.

KSZ XL=KERNEL SIZE EXTRA LARGE. Percentage by weight of shelled cornthat does not pass through a screen with 25/64 inch diameter openings.

MST=HARVEST MOISTURE. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture ofthe grain at harvest.

PLT HT=PLANT HEIGHT. This is a measure of the height of the plant fromthe ground to the tip of the tassel in inches.

POL WT=POLLEN WEIGHT. This is the weight of pollen per 100 plants takenon a plot basis. ABS refers to data in absolute, and % MN refers to datapresented as percentage , of experimental mean.

PRM=PREDICTED RM. This trait, predicted relative maturity (RM), is basedon the harvest moisture of the grain. The relative maturity rating isbased on a known set of checks and utilizes standard linear regressionanalyses and is referred to as the Minnesota Relative Maturity RatingSystem.

RT LDG=ROOT LODGING. Root lodging is the percentage of plants that donot root lodge; plants that lean from the vertical axis at anapproximately 30° angle or greater would be counted as root lodged.

SCT GRN=SCATTER GRAIN. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount ofscatter grain (lack of pollination or kernel abortion) on the ear. Thehigher the score the less scatter grain.

SDG VGR=SEEDLING VIGOR. This is the visual rating (1 to 9) of the amountof vegetative growth after emergence at the seedling stage(approximately five leaves). A higher score indicates better vigor.

SEL IND=SELECTION INDEX. The selection index gives a single measure ofthe hybrid's worth based on information for up to five traits. A cornbreeder may utilize his or her own set of traits for the selectionindex. One of the traits that is almost always included is yield. Theselection index data presented in the tables represent the mean valueaveraged across testing stations.

STA GRN=STAY GREEN. Stay green is the measure of plant health near thetime of black layer formation (physiological maturity). A high scoreindicates better late-season plant health.

STK CNT=NUMBER OF PLANTS. This is the final stand or number of plantsper plot.

STK LDG=STALK LODGING. This is the percentage of plants that did notstalk lodge (stalk breakage) as measured by either natural lodging orpushing the stalks and determining the percentage of plants that breakbelow the ear.

TAS BLS=TASSEL BLAST. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to measure thedegree of blasting (necrosis due to heat stress) of the tassel at timeof flowering. A 1 would indicate a very high level of blasting at timeof flowering, while a 9 would have no tassel blasting.

TAS SZ=TASSEL SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate therelative size of the tassel. The higher the rating the larger thetassel.

TAS WT=TASSEL WEIGHT. This is the average weight of a tassel (grams)just prior to pollen shed.

TEX EAR=EAR TEXTURE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate therelative hardness (smoothness of crown) of mature grain. A 1 would bevery soft (extreme dent) while a 9 would be very hard (flinty or verysmooth crown).

TILLER=TILLERS. A count of the number of tillers per plot that couldpossibly shed pollen was taken. Data is given as percentage of tillers:number of tillers per plot divided by number of plants per plot.

TST WT=TEST WEIGHT UNADJUSTED. The measure of the weight of the grain inpounds for a given volume (bushel).

TST WTA=TEST WEIGHT ADJUSTED. The measure of the weight of the grain inpounds for a given volume (bushel) adjusted for percent moisture.

YLD=YIELD. It is the same as BU ACR ABS.

YLD SC=YIELD SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to give a relativerating for yield based on plot ear piles. The higher the rating thegreater visual yield appearance.

CLN=Corn Lethal Necrosis (MCMV=Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus andMDMV=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" isvery susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

MDM CPX=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex (MDMV=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus &MCDV=Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1"is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

COM SMT=Common Smut (Ustilago maydis): Percentage of plants that did nothave infection.

ANT ROT=Anthracnose Stalk Rot (Colletotrichum graminicola): Visualrating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is veryresistant.

SLF BLT=Southern Leaf Blight (Bipolaris maydis, Helminthosporiummaydis): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a"9" is very resistant.

NLF BLT=Northern Leaf Blight (Exserohilum turcicum, H. turcicum): Visualrating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is veryresistant.

HC BLT=Helminthosporium Carbonum Leaf Blight (Bipolariszeicola, H.carbonum): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible anda "9" is very resistant.

COM RST=Common Rust (Puccinia sorghi): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a"1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

SO RST=Southern Rust (Puccinia polysora): Visual rating (1-9 score)where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

EYE SPT=Eyespot (Kabatiella zeae): Visual rating ( 1-9 score) where a"1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

GLF SPT=Gray Leaf Spoil (Cercospora zeae-maydis): Visual rating (1-9score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

STW WLT=Stewart's Wilt (Erwinia stewartii): Visual rating (1-9 score)where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

GOS WLT=Goss's Wilt (Corynebacterium nebraskense): Visual rating (1-9score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

HD SMT=Head Smut (Spacelotheca reiliana): Percentage of plants that didnot have infection.

DNY MIL=Downy Mildew (Peronosclerospora sorghi): Percentage of plantsthat did not have infection.

FUS EAR=Fusarium Ear Mold (Fusarium moniliforme): Percentage of plantsthat did not have infection.

EAR MLD=General Ear Mold: Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is verysusceptible and a "9" is very resistant. This is based on overall ratingfor ear mold of mature ears without determining specific mold organism,and may not be predictive for a specific ear mold. ECB DPE=Dropped earsdue to European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis): Percentage of plantsthat did not drop ears under second brood corn borer infestation. ECB2SC=European Corn Borer Second Brood (Ostrinia nubilalis): Visual rating(1-9 score) of post flowering damage due to infestation by European CornBorer. A "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant. ECB1LF=European Corn Borer First Brood (Ostrinia nubilalis): Visual rating(1-9 score) of pre-flowering leaf feeding by European Corn Borer. A "1"is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

ECB 2IT=European Corn Borer Second Brood Tunneling (Ostrinia nubilalis):The average inches of tunneling in the stalk due to second brood(post-flowering) European Corn Borer infestation. Determined bysplitting stalks with a knife, from four internodes above the ear to theground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Inbred Corn Line PHN82 is a yellow, dent corn inbred with superiorcharacteristics and provides a very good female parental line in crossesfor producing first generation F₁ corn hybrids. This inbred is adaptedacross most regions of the United States. The inbred can be used toproduce hybrids from approximately 116-128 relative maturity based onthe Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating System for harvest moisture ofgrain. PHN82's high yielding ability combined with good droughttolerance and distribution of kernel size make it most useful as afemale parent. It can be used as a male parent but it is marginalbecause of its light pollen yield. The inbred was 84% of theexperimental mean for amount of pollen in the pollen yield test over 13locations.

The inbred has shown uniformity and stability within the limits ofenvironmental influence for all the traits as described in the VarietyDescription Information (Table 1) that follows. Most of the data in theVariety Description information was collected at Johnston, Iowa. Theinbred has been self-pollinated and ear-rowed a sufficient number ofgenerations with careful attention paid to uniformity of plant type toensure homozygosity and phenotypic stability. The line has beenincreased both by hand and in isolated fields with continued observationfor uniformity. No variant traits have been observed or are expected inPHN82.

Inbred corn line PHN82, being substantially homozygous, can bereproduced by planting seeds of the line, growing the resulting cornplants under self-pollinating or sib-pollinating conditions withadequate isolation, and harvesting the resulting seed, using techniquesfamiliar to the agricultural arts.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________    PHN82                                                                         VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION                                               __________________________________________________________________________    Type: Dent   Region Best Adapted: Most Regions                                A. Maturity: Averaged across maturity zones. Zone: 0                          INBRED = PHN82                                                                Heat Unit Shed:                  1460                                         Heat Unit Silk:                  1500                                         No. Reps:                        82                                            ##STR1##                                                                     B. Plant Characteristics:                                                     Plant height (to tassel tip):    209 cm                                       Length of top ear internode:     13 cm                                        Number of ears per stalk:        single ear                                   Ear height (to base of top ear): 81 cm                                        Number of tillers:               None                                         Cytoplasm type:                  Normal                                       C. Leaf:                                                                      Color:                           (WF9) Medium green                           Angle from Stalk:                30-60 degrees                                Marginal waves:                  (OH7L) Many                                  Number of Leaves (mature plants):                                                                              18                                           Sheath Pubescence:               (W22) Light                                  Longitudinal Creases:            (PA11) Many                                  Length (Ear node leaf):          79 cm                                        Width (widest point, ear node leaf):                                                                           9 cm                                         D. Tassel:                                                                    Number lateral branches:         6                                            Branch Angle from central spike: >45 degrees                                  Pollen Shed:                     Light based on Pollen Yield                                                   Test (84% of experiment mean).               Peduncle Length (top leaf to basal branches):                                                                  18 cm                                        Anther Color:                    Reddish-purple                               Glume Color:                     Green                                        E. Ear (Husked Ear Data Except When Stated Otherwise):                        Length:                          17 cm                                        Weight:                          132 gm                                       Mid-point Diameter:              41 mm                                        Silk Color:                      Pink                                         Husk Extension (Harvest stage):  Medium (barely covering                                                       ear)                                         Husk Leaf:                       Long (>15 cm)                                Taper of Ear:                    Slight taper                                 Position of shank (dry husks):   Upright                                      Kernel Rows:                     Distinct, Straight, Number = 16              Husk Color (fresh):              Light green                                  Husk Color (dry):                Buff                                         Shank Length:                    11 cm                                        Shank (No. of internodes):       8                                            F. Kernel (Dried):                                                            Size (from ear mid-point)                                                     Length:                          11 mm                                        Width:                           8 mm                                         Thick:                           5 mm                                         Shape Grade (% rounds):          20-40% medium rounds based on                                                 Parent Test Data                             Pericarp Color:                  Colorless                                    Aleurone Color:                  Homozygous yellow                            Endosperm Color:                 Yellow                                       Endosperm Type:                  Normal                                       Gm Wt/100 Seeds (unsized):       26 gm                                        G. Cob:                                                                       Diameter at mid-point:           27 mm                                        Strength:                        Strong                                       Color:                           Pinkish-red                                  H. Diseases:                                                                  Corn Lethal Necrosis (MCMV = Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus                                                      Susceptible                                  and MDMV = Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus):                                         Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex (MDMV & MCDV = Maize Chlorotic                                                      Susceptible                                  Dwarf Virus):                                                                 Anthracnose Stalk Rot (C. Graminicola):                                                                        Intermediate                                 S. Leaf Blight (H. Maydis):      Intermediate                                 N. Leaf Blight (H. Urcicum):     Intermediate                                 Carbonum Leaf Blight (H. Carbonum):                                                                            Intermediate                                 Common Rust (P. Sorghi):         Intermediate                                 Eye Spot (K. Zeae):              Susceptible                                  Gray Leaf Spot (C. Zeae):        Susceptible                                  Stewarts Wilt (E. Stewartii):    Resistant                                    Goss's Wilt (C. Nebraskense):    Resistant                                    Common Smut (U. Maydis):         Resistant                                    Head Smut (S. Reiliana):         Intermediate                                 Downy Mildew (S. Sorghi):        Resistant                                    Fusarium Ear Mold (F. Moniliforme):                                                                            Susceptible                                  I. Insects:                                                                   European Corn Borer-1 Leaf Damage (Preflowering):                                                              Intermediate                                 European Corn Borer-2 (Post-flowering):                                                                        Intermediate                                 J. Variety Most Closely Resembling:                                           Character                        Inbred                                       Maturity                         PHV78                                        Usage                            PHV78                                        __________________________________________________________________________     *If maximum is greater than 86 degrees fahrenheit, then 86 is used and if     minimum is less than 50, then 50 is used. Heat units accumulated daily an     can not be less than 0.                                                  

PHV78 (PVP Certificate No. 8800003 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,599) is aPioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred.

Data for items B, C, D, E, F, and G is based primarily on a maximum ofthree reps of data from Johnston, Iowa grown in 1987 and 1988, plusdescription information from the maintaining station.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        ELECTROPHORESIS RESULTS                                                       Isozyme Genotypes for PHN82                                                   Alleles Present                                                                       Loci  PHN82                                                           ______________________________________                                                ACP1  2                                                                       ADH1  4                                                                       CAT3  9                                                                       DIA1  8                                                                       GOT1  4                                                                       GOT2  4                                                                       GOT3  4                                                                       IDH1  4                                                                       IDH2  6                                                                       MDH1  6                                                                       MDH2    3.5                                                                   MDH3  16                                                                      MDH4  12                                                                      MDH5  12                                                                      MMM   4                                                                       PGM1  9                                                                       PGM2  3                                                                       PGD1    3.8                                                                   PGD2  5                                                                       PHI1  4                                                               ______________________________________                                         Isozyme data was generated for inbred corn line PHN82 according to the        procedure described in Goodman, M. M. and Stuber, C. M., "Genetic             identification of lines and crosses using isoenzyme electrophoresis,"         Proceedings of the ThirtyFifth Annual Corn and Sorghum Industry Research      Conference, Chicago, Illinois (1980).                                    

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention also is directed to methods for producing a corn plant bycrossing a first parent corn plant with a second parent corn plantwherein the first or second parent corn plant is an inbred corn plantfrom the line PHN82. Further, both first and second parent corn plantscan come from the inbred corn line PHN82. Thus, any such methods usingthe inbred corn line PHN82 are part of this invention: selfing,backcrosses, hybrid production, crosses to populations, and the like.All plants produced using inbred corn line PHN82 as a parent are withinthe scope of this invention. Advantageously, the inbred corn line isused in crosses with other, different, corn inbreds to produce firstgeneration (F₁) corn hybrid seeds and plants with superiorcharacteristics.

As used herein, the terms "plant and plant parts" include plant cells,plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue culture from which corn plants canbe regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that areintact in plants or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, flowers,kernels, ears, cobs, leaves, husks, stalks, roots, root tips, anthers,silk and the like.

Tissue culture of corn is described in European Patent Application,publication 160,390, incorporated herein by reference. Corn tissueculture procedures are also described in Green and Rhodes, "PlantRegeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize," Maize for Biological Research(Plant Molecular Biology Association, Charlottsville, Va. 1982, at367-372. Thus, another aspect of this invention is to provide cellswhich upon growth and differentiation produce the inbred line PHN82.

The utility of inbred line PHN82 also extends to crosses with otherspecies. Commonly, suitable species will be of the family Graminaceae,and especially of the genera Zea, Tripsacum, Coix, Schlerachne,Polytoca, Chionachne, and Trilobachne, of the tribe Maydeae. Of these,Zea and Tripsacum, are most preferred. Potentially suitable for crosseswith PHN82 may be the various varieties of grain sorghum, Sorghumbicolor (L.) Moench.

Corn is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw material inindustry. The food uses of corn, in addition to human consumption ofcorn kernels, include both products of dry- and wet-milling industriesand alkaline cooking. The principal products of corn dry milling aregrits, meal and flour. The corn wet-milling industry can provide cornstarch, corn syrups, and dextrose for food use. Alkaline cookingprovides snack foods (i.e., corn chips, tortillas, etc.) Corn oil isrecovered from corn germ, which is a by-product of both dry- andwet-milling industries.

Corn, including both grain and non-grain portions of the plant, is alsoused extensively as livestock feed, primarily for beef cattle, dairycattle, hogs, and poultry.

Industrial uses of corn are mainly from corn starch from the wet-millingindustry and corn flour from the dry-milling industry. The industrialapplications of corn starch and flour are based on functionalproperties, such as viscosity, film formation, adhesive properties, andability to suspend particles. The corn starch and flour have applicationin the paper and textile industries. Other industrial uses includeapplications in adhesives, building materials, foundry binders, laundrystarches, explosives, oil-well muds, and other mining applications.

Plant parts other than the grain of corn are also used in industry.Stalks and husks are made into paper and wallboard and cobs are used forfuel and to make charcoal.

The seed of inbred corn line PHN82, the plant produced from the inbredseed, the hybrid corn plant produced from the crossing of the inbred,hybrid seed, and various parts of the hybrid corn plant can be utilizedfor human food, livestock feed, and as a raw material in industry.

EXAMPLE INBRED AND HYBRID PERFORMANCE OF PHN82

In the examples that follow the traits and characteristics of inbredcorn line PHN82 are given as a line and in hybrid combination. The datacollected on inbred corn line PHN82 is presented for the keycharacteristics and traits.

The results in Table 3 compare PHN82 to PHV78. PHV78 (PVP Certificate#8800003, U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,599) is an important inbred that would beused in the area that PHN82 would be used and would cross well with someof the same inbred lines. The results of data collected over four yearsof research testing show that the two lines differ significantly for anumber of traits. PHN82 offers some key advantages over PHV78 in that ithad an 11.6 percent higher yield than PHV78, fewer barren plants, betterearly stand establishment, better grain quality with higher test weightand fewer brittle stalks. PHN82 is earlier flowering and is a somewhatshorter plant than PHV78. In the areas of resistance to disease andinsects, PHN82 had greater resistance to common rust and was moreresistant to ear mold than PHN82. Both PHN82 and PHV78 can be used asmales in the production of corn hybrids but PHN82 also makes a very goodfemale while PHV78 is not an acceptable female.

The results in Table 4 compare PHN82 to PHV78 crossed to the same inbredtesters. The results also show that the two lines differ significantlyfor a number of traits in hybrid combination. PHN82 offers some keyadvantages over PHV78 in hybrid combination for stalk lodging, rootlodging, stay green and grain quality. The PHN82 hybrids were somewhatearlier maturing than the PHV78 hybrids for harvest moisture of thegrain and flowering. PHN82 hybrids are shorter and lower eared thanPHV78 hybrids which is important to grain farmers. PHN82 hybridsgenerally have better drought tolerance than PHV78 hybrids based onresults under stress conditions.

The results in Table 5 compare a PHN82 hybrid to Pioneer® brand 3379.These hybrids have a parent in common that is not PHN82. Pioneer® brand3379 is a very important hybrid grown in the same area as the PHN82hybrid. The PHN82 hybrid has some important advantages over 3379.Although it yielded 1% less it was 0.7 of a point drier for grainharvest moisture, shed pollen earlier, is shorter and lower eared than3379. The PHN82 hybrid also reaches black layer earlier than 3379 andwill be utilized farther north than 3379 as well as in some of the sameareas as 3379. In 1988 farmer grown strip tests for 263 side by sidecomparisons, the PHN82 hybrid yielded 1.6 bushels per acre more than3379 and was 1.0% drier for harvest grain moisture.

    __________________________________________________________________________    PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                 INBRED #1 - PHN82                                                             INBRED #2 - PHV78                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                BU  BU  BAR BRT EAR EAR EST CLD                                                                              CLD DRP TIL GDU GDU                        VAR ACR ACR PLT STK HT  SZ  CNT TST                                                                              TST EAR LER SHD SLK                YEAR    #   ABS % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS                __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                             1   93.4                                                                              126 93.3                                                                              97.5                                                                              27.0                                                                              6.3 33.5                                                                              88.3                                                                             101 100.0                                                                             1.0 145.3                                                                             151.5                      2   81.8                                                                              108 90.7                                                                              93.9                                                                              31.9                                                                              7.1 31.3                                                                              87.0                                                                             99  99.9                                                                              1.5 157.8                                                                             164.1                      LOCS                                                                              17  17  18  8   30  22  92  3  3   6   32  90  84                         DIFF                                                                              11.6                                                                              18  2.6 3.6 5.0 0.8 2.1 1.3                                                                              2   0.1 0.5 12.5                                                                              12.6                       PROB                                                                              .011+                                                                             .023+                                                                             .002#                                                                             .205                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .794                                                                             .788                                                                              .363                                                                              .394                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#              __________________________________________________________________________                GRN KER                                                                              KSZ                                                                              KSZ KSZ                                                                              KSZ KSZ KSZ    PLT POL                                                                              POL POL RT                         VAR QUL LB XL L   MR MF  S   TIP                                                                              MST HT  WT WT  SC  LDG                YEAR    #   ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS ABS                __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                             1   7.2 39.5                                                                             1.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              22.3                                                                             34.7                                                                              10.7                                                                              1.3                                                                              21.2                                                                              71.9                                                                              164.7                                                                            91  5.2 84.4                       2   6.4 37.8                                                                             8.7                                                                              53.7                                                                              16.7                                                                             16.3                                                                              3.7 1.0                                                                              18.9                                                                              87.3                                                                              254.2                                                                            137 6.7 86.4                       LOCS                                                                              13  3  3  3   3  3   3   3  17  31  6  6   46  8                          DIFF                                                                              0.9 1.6                                                                              7.7                                                                              23.7                                                                              5.7                                                                              18.3                                                                              7.0 0.3                                                                              2.3 15.4                                                                              89.4                                                                             46  1.5 2.0                        PROB                                                                              .098*                                                                             .340                                                                             .208                                                                             .019+                                                                             .142                                                                             .014+                                                                             .026+                                                                             .423                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .158                                                                             .170                                                                              .000#                                                                             .481               __________________________________________________________________________                TAS TAS TAS TEX  TST SCT SDG  STA STK STK  YLD COM                        VAR BLS SZ  WT  EAR  WT  GRN VGR  GRN CNT LDG  SC  RST                YEAR    #   ABS ABS ABS ABS  ABS ABS ABS  ABS ABS ABS  ABS ABS                __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                             1   8.7 4.6 3.4 5.6  56.0                                                                              6.8 5.0  6.2 29.7                                                                              97.4 6.5 5.0                        2   9.0 7.2 7.2 4.3  54.3                                                                              5.5 5.2  5.6 28.9                                                                              95.3 6.1 2.5                        LOCS                                                                              3   36  6   18   14  31  52   33  80  9    36  2                          DIFF                                                                              0.3 2.6 3.8 1.3  1.7 1.3 0.2  0.6 0.8 2.1  0.4 2.5                        PROB                                                                              .423                                                                              .000#                                                                             .001#                                                                             .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .229 .037+                                                                             .026+                                                                             .269 .096*                                                                             .126               __________________________________________________________________________                COM EAR ECB                                                                              ECB ECB                                                                              EYE FUS                                                                              GLF HC MDM NLF                                                                              SLF SO  STW                        VAR SMT MLD DPE                                                                              1LF 2SC                                                                              SPT EAR                                                                              SPT BLT                                                                              CPX BLT                                                                              BLT RST WLT                YEAR    #   ABS ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS ABS                __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                             1   0.0 6.5 76.7                                                                             4.9 4.3                                                                              3.0 31.5                                                                             2.2 5.0                                                                              2.5 5.3                                                                              4.8 6.0 7.5                        2   1.0 5.1 73.3                                                                             6.1 4.7                                                                              3.0 12.8                                                                             3.1 6.0                                                                              3.0 5.9                                                                              4.8 6.0 7.5                        LOCS                                                                              1   30  1  24  6  1   2  5   1  1   4  3   1   2                          DIFF                                                                              1.0 1.4 3.3                                                                              1.2 0.4                                                                              0.0 18.8                                                                             0.9 1.0                                                                              0.5 0.6                                                                              0.0 0.0 0.0                        PROB    .000#  .002#                                                                             .658   .500                                                                             .088*      .464                                                                             .000#   1.00               __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

    __________________________________________________________________________    Average Inbred by Tester Performance Comparing PHN82 to PHV78                 crossed to the same Inbred Testers and Grown in the Same Experiments.         All Values are Expressed as percent of the experiment mean                    except Predicted RM, Selection Index, and Yield (Bu./Ac.).                    __________________________________________________________________________                     SEL BU         GDU STK RT  BAR                                      Inbred                                                                              PRM IND ACR                                                                              YLD MST SHD LDG LDG PLT                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL  REPLIC.                                                                             553 569 569                                                                              569 579 161 527 270 186                               MEAN WTS                                                                             PHN82 120 103 139                                                                              103 100 98  101 101 102                               MEAN WTS                                                                             PHV78 122 103 142                                                                              104 103 102 99  98  99                                       DIFF  2       3  1   2   4   2   3   3                                 __________________________________________________________________________                 STA TST COB                                                                              GRN SDG EST                                                                              PLT                                                                              EAR                                                                              DRP                                                                              BRT                                      Inbred                                                                              GRN WTA SC QUL VGR CNT                                                                              HT HT EAR                                                                              STK                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL  REPLIC.                                                                             412 577 29 103 238 298                                                                              297                                                                              299                                                                              335                                                                              10                                MEAN WTS                                                                             PHN82 111 99  91 102 100 101                                                                              95 95 100                                                                              100                               MEAN WTS                                                                             PHV78 98  98  86 99  103 101                                                                              103                                                                              103                                                                              100                                                                              100                                      DIFF. 12  2   4  3   3   0  7  9  0                                    __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________    #1 - PHN82 HYBRID                                                             #2 - PIONEER ® BRAND 3379                                                 __________________________________________________________________________                             BU  BU      GDU STK RT  BAR STA                                    VAR     SEL                                                                              ACR ACR MST SHD LDG LDG PLT GRN                      YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   PRM IND                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                      __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   119 105                                                                              148.2                                                                             106 20.1                                                                              138.5                                                                             93.8                                                                              95.6                                                                              98.1                                                                              5.8                                    2   120 106                                                                              151.3                                                                             107 20.8                                                                              141.8                                                                             96.0                                                                              93.6                                                                              97.3                                                                              6.7                                    LOCS                                                                              59  55 273 273 276 70  256 128 113 180                                    DIFF                                                                              1   1  3.1 1   0.7 3.3 2.1 1.9 0.8 0.9                                    PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .380                                                                             .002#                                                                             .349                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .002#                                                                             .089*                                                                             .000#                    __________________________________________________________________________                      TST COB GRN SDG EST STK PLT EAR DRP BRT                                   VAR WTA SC  QUL VGR CNT CNT HT  HT  EAR STK                     YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                     __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   57.4                                                                              4.9 6.9 5.6 63.2                                                                              48.1                                                                              105.0                                                                             44.4                                                                              99.6                                                                              96.1                                  2   58.0                                                                              6.2 7.2 5.8 65.5                                                                              48.4                                                                              108.0                                                                             46.4                                                                              99.5                                                                              95.4                                  LOCS                                                                              274 26  93  144 191 291 151 149 195 57                                    DIFF                                                                              0.5 1.3 0.3 0.2 2.2 0.3 2.9 2.0 0.1 0.7                                   PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .001#                                                                             .057*                                                                             .000#                                                                             .063*                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .277                                                                              .375                    __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

Research Comparisons For Hybrids Having PHN82 As A Parent

Additional comparisons of the characteristics for the hybrid notedabove, which has PHN82 as a female parent, were made against Pioneer®brand hybrids 3343 and 3377. These results are shown in Tables 6-7.Pioneer® brand hybrid 3343 is a newer commercial hybrid that is ofsignificant importance in the central and western regions. Pioneer®brand hybrid 3377 is an older hybrid that has been marketed for a numberof years in the central and western areas. Hybrids 3379 (shown above),3343 and the hybrid having PHN82 as a parent are expected to replace3377 in the central and western Corn Belt areas.

The results in Table 6 show that the PHN82 hybrid is also earliermaturing than Pioneer® brand hybrid 3343. The PHN82 hybrid had fewerbarren plants than 3343, better stay green, better grain test weight,had more resistance to ear droppage and is a much shorter plant with alower ear height than 3343. The results in Table 7 show that the PHN82hybrid matures earlier than 3377, has approximately the same yield buthas a significantly better stalk lodging and root lodging resistance,better barren resistance, better stay green, and much better brittlestalk resistance than 3377. It is a shorter hybrid with lower earheight. The results given in Table 8 and 9 compare the PHN82 hybrid toDeKalb hybrid DK636 and Wyffels hybrid W670. These are commercialhybrids that are representative of the competitive hybrids sold in thesame area as the PHN82 hybrid. The results in Table 8 show that thePHN82 hybrid matures earlier than DK636 with very similar yield. ThePHN82 hybrid also had fewer barren plants, better stay green, betterearly stand count and was shorter and lower eared than DK636. Theresults in Table 9 show that the PHN82 hybrid is later flowering and haslower grain moisture than W670. It had a significantly higher yield thanW670, fewer barren plants, better stay green, and better seedling vigor.It is a taller hybrid than W670.

Comparisons of the characteristics for another hybrid having PHN82 as amale parent were made against Pioneer® brand hybrids 3467, 3374, and3379. These results are shown in Tables 10-12.

The results in Table 10 show that the second PHN82 hybrid has the samerelative maturity as Pioneer® brand hybrid 3467 but is somewhat later toshed pollen. It has significantly higher yield, better resistance tostalk lodging and root lodging, and better stay green (plant health atphysiological maturity). It is also better in adverse germinationconditions, showing superior seedling vigor and early stand count than3467. It is shorter but has higher ears than 3467. The results in Table11 show that the second PHN82 hybrid is also the same maturity asPioneer® brand hybrid 3374 and is also later to shed pollen. The PHN82hybrid was higher yielding than 3374. It was superior to 3374 forseedling vigor, as well as for dropped ears and brittle stalks. It is amuch shorter plant with a lower ear height than 3374, which may havecontributed to its superior root lodging performance. The results inTable 12 show that the PHN82 hybrid matures earlier than 3379, and hasapproximately the same yield but is lower in moisture. It hassignificantly better root lodging resistance, better barren resistance,fewer dropped ears, and better brittle stalk resistance than 3379. It isa shorter hybrid with lower ear height.

Tables 13 and 14 compare the second PHN82 hybrid to DeKalb-Pfizer hybridDK636 and Wyffels hybrid W670. The results in Table 13 show that thePHN82 hybrid matures earlier than DK636 with very similar yield. ThePHN82 hybrid also had fewer barren plants, better stay green, betterseedling vigor and higher early stand count than DK636, all suggestiveof better plant health and stress tolerance. It was shorter and lowereared than DK636 and had superior root lodging resistance, which can beimportant under adverse weather conditions. Overall (as shown byselection index) it is a very superior hybrid. The results in Table 14show that the PHN82 hybrid is earlier flowering and better yielding withlower grain moisture than W670. It is taller and has higher-placed earsthan W670, which is quite short, yet had superior stalk lodging and rootlodging performance and fewer brittle stalks than W670.

Strip Test Data for PHN82 Hybrids

Comparison data was collected from strip tests that were grown byfarmers. Each hybrid was grown in strips of 4, 6, 8, 12, etc. rows infields depending on the size of the planter used. The data werecollected from strip tests that had the hybrids in the same area of afield. The grain was harvested from a measured area and weighed. Themoisture percentage was determined to compute yield and bushels per acrewas adjusted to 15.5% moisture. The number of comparisons wouldrepresent the number of locations or replications where the two hybridswere grown in the same field in close proximity and compared.

Comparison strip testing was clone between the first PHN82 hybrid notedabove, having PHN82 as a female parent, and Pioneer®brand hybrids 3379,3343 and 3377. Strip testing was also done against DeKalb-Pfizer hybridDK636.

These results are presented in Table 15. The results illustrate that thePHN82 hybrid had a yield advantage over the three Pioneer hybrids whichresulted in a better return on the farmers investment based on adjustedgross income. Although the PHN82 hybrid did not outfield DK636 in the1988 strip test, that data was based on only one comparison. Itsadvantages for other characteristics over DK636 will make the PHN82hybrid an important hybrid in the central and western Corn Belt. Also,the more comprehensive research comparisons above show that there is nota significant yield difference between DK636 and the PHN82 hybrid.

Comparison strip testing was also done between the second PHN82 hybrid,having PHN82 as a male parent, and Pioneer® brand hybrids 3379, 3343 and3377. Strip testing was also done against DeKalb-Pfizer hybrid DK636.

These results are presented in Table 16. The results illustrate that thePHN82 hybrid had a root lodging score that was better than the threePioneer hybrids. Although the PHN82 hybrid yield results were mixed, itsadvantages for other characteristics will make the PHN82 o hybrid animportant hybrid in the central and western Corn Belt. Also, the morecomprehensive research comparisons above show that the PHN82 hybridgenerally provides equal or better yield compared to these hybrids.

Comparison of Key Characteristics for PHN82 Hybrids

Characteristics of the hybrid having PHN82 as a female parent arecompared to Pioneer® brand hybrids 3379, 3343, 3377 and alsoDeKalb-Pfizer hybrid DK636, and Wyffels hybrid W670 in Table 17.Characteristics of the hybrid having PHN82 as a male parent are comparedto Pioneer® brand hybrids 3467, 3343, 3379 and also DeKalb-Pfizer hybridDK636, and Wyffels hybrid W670 in Table 18. The ratings given for mostof the traits are on a 1-9 basis. In these cases 9 would be outstandingwhile a 1 would be poor for the given characteristics. These values arebased on performance of the given hybrid relative to other Pioneer®commercial and pre-commercial hybrids that are grown in the trials. Thetraits characterized in Tables 17 and 18 as "H/POP," "L/POP," "D/D," and"D/T," refer to qualitative evaluations of performance in high plantingpopulations, low planting populations, drydown, and drought tolerance,respectively. The other traits evaluated were defined previously and theratings utilized not only research data but experience that trained cornresearchers had in the field as well as sales experience with thehybrids in strip test and the field. These scores reflect the hybrids'relative performance to other hybrids for the characteristics listed.Table 17 shows that the first PHN82 hybrid offers high yield for itsmaturity, responds very well to high plant density, has good stay green,has outstanding drought tolerance, is short, and has excellent brittlestalk resistance relative to the other hybrids. Table 18 shows that thesecond PHN82 hybrid also provides high yield for its maturity, good rootlodging resistance and short plant height with low ear placement. It ishighly superior for seedling vigor and shows good drought tolerance anddrydown.

                                      TABLE 6                                     __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID #1 - PHN82 hybrid                                                      HYBRID #2 - 3343                                                              __________________________________________________________________________                             BU  BU      GDU STK RT  BAR STA                                    VAR     SEL                                                                              ACR ACR MST SHD LDG LDG PLT GRN                      YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   PRM IND                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                      __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   119 105                                                                              149.2                                                                             105 19.9                                                                              137.4                                                                             93.1                                                                              94.5                                                                              98.1                                                                              5.6                                    2   121 104                                                                              152.9                                                                             104 20.8                                                                              145.1                                                                             95.0                                                                              94.6                                                                              96.0                                                                              5.1                                    LOCS                                                                              44  40 204 204 208 51  188 94  76  134                                    DIFF                                                                              2   1  3.7 1   0.9 7.7 1.9 0.0 2.1 0.4                                    PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .707                                                                             .017+                                                                             .626                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .002#                                                                             .974                                                                              .001#                                                                             .038+                    __________________________________________________________________________                      TST COB  GRN SDG  EST PLT EAR  DRP BRT                                    VAR WTA SC   QUL VGR  CNT HT  HT   EAR STK                      YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS ABS  ABS ABS                      __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   57.4                                                                              5.0  6.9 5.7  62.3                                                                              105.4                                                                             44.8 99.5                                                                              96.7                                   2   57.0                                                                              6.0  6.8 6.2  62.9                                                                              112.3                                                                             49.0 99.2                                                                              95.4                                   LOCS                                                                              207 20   82  114  147 112 111  139 47                                     DIFF                                                                              0.4 1.0  0.1 0.5  0.6 6.9 4.1  0.4 1.3                                    PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .005#                                                                              .449                                                                              .000#                                                                              .224                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                              .005#                                                                             .115                     __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 7                                     __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID #1 - PHN82 hybrid                                                      HYBRID #2 - 3377                                                              __________________________________________________________________________                             BU BU      GDU STK RT  BAR STA                                     VAR     SEL                                                                              ACR                                                                              ACR MST SHD LDG LDG PLT GRN                       YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   PRM IND                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   119 104                                                                              153.5                                                                            104 20.0                                                                              137.3                                                                             93.6                                                                              94.8                                                                              98.5                                                                              5.8                                     2   120 101                                                                              154.8                                                                            104 20.4                                                                              141.8                                                                             90.5                                                                              90.3                                                                              97.6                                                                              4.7                                     LOCS                                                                              48  44 245                                                                              245 246 62  225 123 95  162                                     DIFF                                                                              1   3  1.4                                                                              1   0.3 4.5 3.1 4.5 0.9 1.1                                     PROB                                                                              .027+                                                                             .198                                                                             .280                                                                             .515                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .060*                                                                             .000#                     __________________________________________________________________________                      TST COB  GRN SDG  EST PLT EAR DRP BRT                                     VAR WTA SC   QUL VGR  CNT HT  HT  EAR STK                       YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   57.5                                                                              5.0  6.6 5.7  63.9                                                                              107.8                                                                             46.0                                                                              99.6                                                                              96.2                                    2   57.4                                                                              5.7  6.5 5.8  64.0                                                                              111.3                                                                             49.0                                                                              99.4                                                                              92.0                                    LOCS                                                                              245 26   86  137  178 138 136 168 53                                      DIFF                                                                              0.1 0.8  0.1 0.2  0.1 3.5 3.0 0.1 4.2                                     PROB                                                                              .099*                                                                             .003#                                                                              .460                                                                              .182 .756                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .161                                                                              .002#                     __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 8                                     __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID #1 - PHN82 hybrid                                                      HYBRID #2 - DK636                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                              BU  BU      GDU  STK RT  BAR                                      VAR     SEL ACR ACR MST SHD  LDG LDG PLT                        YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   PRM IND ABS % MN                                                                              ABS ABS  ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   119 106 147.4                                                                             106 19.7                                                                              140.7                                                                              93.9                                                                              98.7                                                                              97.9                                     2   123 100 146.1                                                                             101 21.4                                                                              147.1                                                                              92.6                                                                              97.1                                                                              94.3                                     LOCS                                                                              19  19  83  83  85  22   80  35  30                                       DIFF                                                                              4   7   1.3 4   1.7 6.3  1.4 1.7 3.6                                      PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .075*                                                                             .584                                                                              .041+                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                              .150                                                                              .141                                                                              .033+                      __________________________________________________________________________                      STA TST COB                                                                              GRN SDG EST PLT EAR DRP                                                                              BRT                                     VAR GRN WTA SC QUL VGR CNT HT  HT  EAR                                                                              STK                       YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   ABS ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   5.7 57.3                                                                              4.8                                                                              7.1 5.5 63.9                                                                              100.6                                                                             41.0                                                                              99.8                                                                             100.0                                   2   4.5 58.2                                                                              5.9                                                                              6.9 5.2 60.3                                                                              103.2                                                                             43.3                                                                              99.7                                                                             100.0                                   LOCS                                                                              53  85  5  17  39  58  40  40  53 1                                       DIFF                                                                              1.2 0.9 1.0                                                                              0.2 0.3 3.5 2.7 2.3 0.1                                                                              0.0                                     PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .301                                                                             .431                                                                              .123                                                                              .000#                                                                             .001#                                                                             .001#                                                                             .133                         __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 9                                     __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID #1 - PHN82 hybrid                                                      HYBRID #2 - WYF670                                                            __________________________________________________________________________                              BU  BU      GDU STK RT  BAR                                       VAR     SEL ACR ACR MST SHD LDG LDG PLT                         YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   PRM IND ABS % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                         __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   119 107 142.8                                                                             108 20.3                                                                              140.3                                                                             95.8                                                                              99.2                                                                              97.6                                      2   122 93  130.1                                                                             97  21.4                                                                              136.8                                                                             94.6                                                                              99.2                                                                              95.6                                      LOCS                                                                              12  12  51  51  51  14  47  22  20                                        DIFF                                                                              3   14  12.6                                                                              11  1.1 3.5 1.1 0.0 2.0                                       PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .143                                                                              .974                                                                              .082*                       __________________________________________________________________________                      STA TST COB GRN SDG EST PLT EAR DRP                                       VAR GRN WTA SC  QUL VGR CNT HT  HT  EAR                         YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                         __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   6.1 56.9                                                                              4.7 6.8 5.9 63.4                                                                              102.2                                                                             42.5                                                                              99.9                                      2   4.8 57.1                                                                              6.3 7.1 5.5 64.7                                                                              95.4                                                                              37.4                                                                              99.9                                      LOCS                                                                              30  51  3   11  24  31  24  24  31                                        DIFF                                                                              1.3 0.2 1.6 0.3 0.4 1.3 6.8 5.1 0.0                                       PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .144                                                                              .015+                                                                             .402                                                                              .096*                                                                             .070*                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .983                        __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 10                                    __________________________________________________________________________    VARIETY #1 - PHN82 hybrid                                                     VARIETY #2 - 3467                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                              BU  BU      GDU STK RT  BAR                                                                              STA                                    VAR     SEL ACR ACR MST SHD LDG LDG PLT                                                                              GRN                      YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   PRM IND ABS % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                      __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   118 106 140.5                                                                             103 18.4                                                                              135.6                                                                             95.6                                                                              97.2                                                                              97.7                                                                             4.7                                    2   117 96  133.4                                                                             99  18.3                                                                              131.3                                                                             93.1                                                                              93.6                                                                              96.8                                                                             4.3                                    LOCS                                                                              30  32  123 123 126 42  103 67  38 63                                     DIFF                                                                              0   9   7.2 5   0.1 4.3 2.5 3.5 0.9                                                                              0.5                                    PROB                                                                              .222                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .315                                                                              .000#                                                                             .001#                                                                             .003#                                                                             .108                                                                             .077*                    __________________________________________________________________________                      TST COB  GRN SDG  EST PLT  EAR DRP BRT                                    VAR WTA SC   QUL VGR  CNT HT   HT  EAR STK                      YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS ABS                      __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   58.0                                                                              5.6  7.0 5.5  61.6                                                                              106.4                                                                              44.5                                                                              99.6                                                                              99.4                                   2   58.7                                                                              4.2  6.8 4.9  55.7                                                                              109.1                                                                              43.5                                                                              99.6                                                                              97.4                                   LOCS                                                                              122 9    43  61   72  57   57  80  15                                     DIFF                                                                              0.7 1.4  0.1 0.6  5.9 2.7  1.0 0.0 2.0                                    PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .014+                                                                              .581                                                                              .001#                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                              .007#                                                                             .756                                                                              .037+                    __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 11                                    __________________________________________________________________________    VARIETY #1 - PHN82 hybrid                                                     VARIETY #2 - 3374                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                             BU  BU      GDU STK RT  BAR                                                                              STA                                     VAR     SEL                                                                              ACR ACR MST SHD LDG LDG PLT                                                                              GRN                       YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   PRM IND                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   118 103                                                                              139.6                                                                             102 19.2                                                                              138.7                                                                             93.9                                                                              98.2                                                                              96.7                                                                             5.0                                     2   118 101                                                                              137.0                                                                             100 18.9                                                                              136.6                                                                             95.0                                                                              97.0                                                                              94.6                                                                             4.6                                     LOCS                                                                              25  27 116 116 125 36  100 59  34 57                                      DIFF                                                                              0   2  2.6 3   0.2 2.2 1.1 1.2 2.1                                                                              0.4                                     PROB                                                                              .146                                                                              .386                                                                             .095*                                                                             .056*                                                                             .062*                                                                             .000#                                                                             .139                                                                              .023+                                                                             .017                                                                             .166                      __________________________________________________________________________                      TST COB  GRN SDG EST PLT EAR  DRP BRT                                     VAR WTA SC   QUL VGR CNT HT  HT   EAR STK                       YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   ABS ABS  ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS  ABS ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   57.5                                                                              6.3  6.9 5.8 60.5                                                                              100.7                                                                             42.5 99.7                                                                              98.1                                    2   57.7                                                                              6.8  6.7 5.4 60.0                                                                              107.1                                                                             46.3 99.4                                                                              94.9                                    LOCS                                                                              117 11   77  67  94  48  48   64  13                                      DIFF                                                                              0.2 0.6  0.2 0.4 0.5 6.4 3.8  0.3 3.2                                     PROB                                                                              .089*                                                                             .034+                                                                              .159                                                                              .011+                                                                             .157                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                              .014+                                                                             .043+                     __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 12                                    __________________________________________________________________________    VARIETY #1 - PHN82 hybrid                                                     VARIETY #2 - 3379                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                             BU BU      GDU STK RT  BAR STA                                     VAR     SEL                                                                              ACR                                                                              ACR MST SHD LDG LDG PLT GRN                       YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   PRM IND                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   118 103                                                                              142.6                                                                            102 19.0                                                                              137.5                                                                             94.4                                                                              97.7                                                                              97.0                                                                              4.9                                     2   120 104                                                                              143.9                                                                            103 19.5                                                                              137.3                                                                             94.6                                                                              90.9                                                                              95.5                                                                              6.1                                     LOCS                                                                              55  60 239                                                                              239 249 73  207 108 66  135                                     DIFF                                                                              1   1  1.3                                                                              1   0.5 0.2 0.2 6.8 1.5 1.2                                     PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .215                                                                             .160                                                                             .160                                                                              .000#                                                                             .608                                                                              .744                                                                              .000#                                                                             .074*                                                                             .000#                     __________________________________________________________________________                      TST COB GRN SDG EST  PLT EAR  DRP BRT                                     VAR WTA SC  QUL VGR CNT  HT  HT   EAR STK                       YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   57.6                                                                              6.3 7.0 5.7 60.9 104.3                                                                             43.5 99.8                                                                              98.7                                    2   57.6                                                                              6.5 7.3 5.8 61.5 107.6                                                                             46.1 99.5                                                                              96.2                                    LOCS                                                                              240 15  109 139 171  113 113  133 28                                      DIFF                                                                              0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.6  3.3 2.7  0.3 2.5                                     PROB                                                                              .729                                                                              .550                                                                              .028+                                                                             .165                                                                              .062*                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                              .005#                                                                             .026+                     __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 13                                    __________________________________________________________________________    VARIETY #1 - PHN82 hybrid                                                     VARIETY #2 - DK636                                                            __________________________________________________________________________                              BU  BU      GDU  STK RT  BAR                                      VAR     SEL ACR ACR MST SHD  LDG LDG PLT                        YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   PRM IND ABS % MN                                                                              ABS ABS  ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   118 102 141.9                                                                             101 19.0                                                                              138.0                                                                              93.5                                                                              97.1                                                                              97.4                                     2   123 95  139.5                                                                             99  20.7                                                                              138.2                                                                              91.4                                                                              89.1                                                                              95.0                                     LOCS                                                                              34  37  150 150 156 45   134 63  41                                       DIFF                                                                              5   7   2.4 2   1.8 0.2  2.1 8.1 2.4                                      PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .004#                                                                             .181                                                                              .122                                                                              .000#                                                                             .704 .002#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .012+                      __________________________________________________________________________                      STA TST COB                                                                              GRN SDG EST PLT EAR DRP                                                                              BRT                                     VAR GRN WTA SC QUL VGR CNT HT  HT  EAR                                                                              STK                       YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   ABS ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   4.7 57.6                                                                              6.7                                                                              7.1 5.9 60.7                                                                              102.0                                                                             42.4                                                                              99.7                                                                             99.8                                    2   4.4 58.1                                                                              5.7                                                                              7.1 5.3 57.9                                                                              106.6                                                                             45.4                                                                              99.6                                                                             99.0                                    LOCS                                                                              88  152 9  77  88  118 72  72  91 16                                      DIFF                                                                              0.4 0.4 1.0                                                                              0.0 0.6 2.8 4.6 3.0 0.1                                                                              0.8                                     PROB                                                                              .027+                                                                             .000#                                                                             .120                                                                             .831                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .162                                                                             .104                      __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 14                                    __________________________________________________________________________    VARIETY #1 - PHN82 hybrid                                                     VARIETY #2 - W670                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                              BU   BU      GDU  STK RT  BAR                                     VAR     SEL ACR  ACR MST SHD  LDG LDG PLT                       YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   PRM IND ABS  % MN                                                                              ABS ABS  ABS ABS ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   117 103 133.0                                                                              102 19.1                                                                              137.1                                                                              93.9                                                                              98.2                                                                              96.7                                    2   122 92  125.5                                                                              96  20.5                                                                              130.6                                                                              91.4                                                                              96.1                                                                              96.4                                    LOCS                                                                              25  27  111  111 116 35   96  59  33                                      DIFF                                                                              4   10  7.4  6   1.4 6.5  2.5 2.1 0.2                                     PROB                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                              .001#                                                                             .003#                                                                             .814                      __________________________________________________________________________                      STA TST COB GRN SDG EST                                                                              PLT EAR DRP                                                                              BRT                                     VAR GRN WTA SC  QUL VGR CNT                                                                              HT  HT  EAR                                                                              STK                       YEAR    REGION                                                                              #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM     1   4.8 57.5                                                                              6.3 6.6 5.7 60.6                                                                             102.0                                                                             44.0                                                                              99.7                                                                             99.7                                    2   4.4 57.6                                                                              5.6 6.4 5.8 61.1                                                                             96.0                                                                              40.0                                                                              99.7                                                                             99.0                                    LOCS                                                                              53  110 9   62  62  80 49  49  79 8                                       DIFF                                                                              0.3 0.1 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.5                                                                              6.0 4.0 0.0                                                                              0.8                                     PROB                                                                              .157                                                                              .444                                                                              .063*                                                                             .239                                                                              .638                                                                              .174                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .886                                                                             .081*                     __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 15                                    __________________________________________________________________________                     Yld Wins   Moist                                                                             Wins                                                                             Income/                                                                            Inc Wins                                                                             Pop  Stand                                                                             Roots                                                                             Tst               Brand Product                                                                              Yield                                                                             Adv (%)                                                                              Moist                                                                             Adv (%)                                                                              Acre Adv (%)                                                                              K/Acre                                                                             (%) (%) Wt                __________________________________________________________________________    PIONEER                                                                             PHN82 hyb                                                                            135.0                                                                             1.6 55 19.2                                                                              1.0 70 360.77                                                                             7.28                                                                              59 22.6 95  97  56.4              PIONEER                                                                             3379   133.4      20.2       353.49      22.8 96  96  56.6              COMPAR-      263        263        263         191  182 179 243               ISONS                                                                         PIONEER                                                                             PHN82 hyb                                                                            129.2                                                                             8.9 66 18.8                                                                              1.3 63 346.36                                                                             25.98                                                                             67 22.6 95  97  56.4              PIONEER                                                                             3343   120.3      20.1       320.38      22.2 93  96  55.9              COMPAR-      168        168        168         120  115 113 151               ISONS                                                                         PIONEER                                                                             PHN82 hyb                                                                            134.7                                                                             4.6 64 18.7                                                                              -0.1                                                                              47 361.27                                                                             12.57                                                                             62 22.4 95  98  56.6              PIONEER                                                                             3377   130.1      18.6       348.70      22.2 89  96  56.1              COMPAR-      248        248        248         178  170 168 231               ISONS                                                                         PIONEER                                                                             PHN 82 hyb                                                                           74.5                                                                              -23.7                                                                              0 17.2                                                                              2.0 100                                                                              202.34                                                                             -60.44                                                                             0 0.0   0   0  57.5              DEKALB-                                                                             DK636  98.2       19.2       262.78      0.0   0   0  58.5              PFTZER                                                                        COMPAR-      1          1          1           0     0   0  1                 ISONS                                                                         __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 16                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Strip test comparison results                                                                           Income/                                                                            Pop  Stand                                                                             Roots                                                                             Test                              Brand        Product                                                                            Yield                                                                             Moist                                                                             Acre K/Acre                                                                             (%) (%) Wt                                __________________________________________________________________________    PIONEER      PHN82                                                                              157.8                                                                             19.0                                                                              343.09                                                                             23.8 93  97  57.5                              WEIGHTED AVG      158.5                                                                             18.8                                                                              345.34                                                                             23.5 91  94  57.4                              Advantage         -0.7                                                                              -0.2                                                                              -2.25                                                                              0.3  2   3   0.1                               Number of Comparisons                                                                           528 528 528  284  225 209 340                               Percent Wins      45  41  45   46   43  20  40                                Probability of Difference                                                                       86  99  96   96   99  99  81                                PIONEER      PHN82                                                                              159.9                                                                             19.9                                                                              345.63                                                                             23.7 94  98  57.4                              PIONEER      3374 157.4                                                                             19.2                                                                              342.24                                                                             24.6 92  94  57.6                              Advantage         2.5 -0.7                                                                              3.39 -0.9 2   4   -0.2                              Number of Comparisons                                                                           84  84  84   27   21  20  29                                Percent Wins      61  30  58   33   47  25  20                                Probability of Difference                                                                       97  99  80   93   63  90  61                                PIONEER      PHN82                                                                              158.3                                                                             18.7                                                                              345.04                                                                             24.2 94  97  57.8                              PIONEER      3379 158.1                                                                             18.6                                                                              344.96                                                                             23.6 91  93  57.5                              Advantage         0.2 -0.1                                                                              0.08 0.6  3   4   0.3                               Number of Comparisons                                                                           195 195 195  108  86  78  134                               Percent Wins      48  37  49   49   39  23  44                                Probability of Difference                                                                       17  78  4    98   92  99  99                                PIONEER      PHN82                                                                              155.8                                                                             18.6                                                                              339.96                                                                             23.4 93  96  57.3                              PIONEER      3467 154.3                                                                             18.2                                                                              337.82                                                                             22.0 90  92  58.0                              Advantage         1.5 -0.4                                                                              2.14 1.4  3   4   -0.7                              Number of Comparisons                                                                           75  75  75   58   47  44  72                                Percent Wins      54  44  50   67   48  22  18                                Probability of Difference                                                                       72  93  50   99   92  90  99                                PIONEER      PHN82                                                                              170.6                                                                             17.5                                                                              376.41                                                                             0.0  0   0   61.0                              DEKALB       DK636                                                                              155.0                                                                             19.6                                                                              336.74                                                                             0.0  0   0   60.0                              Advantage         15.6                                                                              2.1 39.67                                                                              0.0  0   0   1.0                               Number of Comparisons                                                                           2   2   2    0    0   0   1                                 Percent Wins      50  100 50   0    0   0   100                               Probability of Difference                                                                       30  53  36   0    0   0   0                                 PIONEER      PHN82                                                                              158.6                                                                             19.1                                                                              345.22                                                                             26.3 82  84  0.0                               WYFFELS      W670 154.5                                                                             20.0                                                                              334.12                                                                             26.9 68  84  0.0                               Advantage         4.1 0.9 11.10                                                                              -0.6 14  0   0.0                               Number of Comparisons                                                                           10  10  10   4    2   2   0                                 Percent Wins      70  60  70   25   50  0   0                                 Probability of Difference                                                                       56  82  66   23   50  0   0                                 __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 17                                    __________________________________________________________________________          MST                                                                     HYBRID                                                                              RM GDU BL                                                                             GDU SLK                                                                             YLD                                                                              H/POP                                                                              L/POP                                                                             D/D                                                                              S/L                                                                              R/L                                                                              STGR                                                                              D/T                              __________________________________________________________________________    PHN82 119                                                                              2777 1460  9  9    5   5  5  5  7   9                                3379  119                                                                              2873 1483  9  9    6   8  7  5  9   8                                3343  121                                                                              2803 1503  8  6    8   5  6  6  6   4                                W670  121                                                                              2715 1427  6  7    4   3  5  6  5   6                                3377  122                                                                              2791 1462  7  5    8   6  2  3  3   7                                DK636 123                                                                              2768 1454  7  7    8   4  4  6  3   7                                __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID                                                                              T/WT                                                                              COB QUAL.                                                                              P/SDG                                                                              S/VIG                                                                             ESC P/HT                                                                              E/HT                                                                              D/E B/STK                             __________________________________________________________________________    PHN82 4   3   5    3    5   5   3   3   5   8                                 3379  5   5   5    3    4   5   4   4   5   8                                 3343  4   5   3    7    7   7   7   7   4   5                                 W670  4   6   4    --   5   6   2   1   4   --                                3377  4   4   5    6    5   5   5   5   7   3                                 DK636 6   5   8    --   4   4   4   4   6   8                                 __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 18                                    __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID PATENT COMPARISONS - CHARACTERISTICS                                   __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID                                                                              GDU SLK                                                                             GDU BL                                                                             MST RM                                                                              YLD                                                                              H/POP                                                                              L/POP                                                                             D/D                                                                              S/L                                                                              R/L                                  __________________________________________________________________________    PHN82 1491  2800 118   8  8    5   8  6  7                                    3467  1447  2741 116   7  6    6   6  4  6                                    3374  1460  2823 118   8  6    8   9  7  8                                    3379  1477  2858 119   8  9    6   9  7  5                                    W670  1405  2723 122   8  9    5   3  5  7                                    DK636 1474  2760 123   7  7    6   4  4  6                                    __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID                                                                              STGR                                                                              D/T T/WT                                                                              QUAL.                                                                              S/VIG                                                                             P/HT E/HT                                                                              D/E B/STK                                 __________________________________________________________________________    PHN82 5   8   5   5    7   3    3   5   6                                     3467  4   7   6   5    3   5    3   6   5                                     3374  5   6   5   5    5   6    5   5   3                                     3379  9   8   5   5    4   4    4   5   8                                     W670  5   9   5   4    5   2    1   6   8                                     DK636 3   7   6   8    4   4    4   6   8                                     __________________________________________________________________________

Deposits

A deposit of the inbred seed of this invention is maintained by PioneerHi-Bred International, Inc., 700 Capital Square, 400 Locust Street, DesMoines, Iowa 50309. Access to this deposit will be available during thependency of this application to persons determined by the Commissionerof Patents and Trademarks to be entitled theretounder 37 CFR 1.14 and 35USC 122. Upon allowance of any claims in this application, allrestrictions on access required to be removed will be removed byaffording access to a deposit of the same inbred seed with the AmericanType Culture Collection, Rockville, Md., ATCC Accession No. 75254.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for producing a hybrid corn seed whichgives rise to a hybrid corn plant having alleles which, when expressed,contribute to hybrids which are stress tolerant coupled with good yieldwhen compared to similar maturity hybrids, possess superior seedlingvigor, drought tolerance, low level of brittlesnap and resistance toroot and/or stalk lodging, comprising the steps of:(a) planting, inpollinating proximity, seed of corn inbred line PHN82 having ATCCAccession No. 75254 and another inbred line that is not PHN82; (b)cultivating corn plants resulting from said planting until the plantsbear flowers; (c) inactivating the male reproductive system prior topollination of the plants of the female inbred line; (d) allowingnatural cross pollinating to occur between the inbred lines; and (e)harvesting seeds produced on said inactivated plants of the inbred line.2. F₁ hybrid corn seed and plants grown therefrom produced by crossinginbred corn plant PHN82 having ATCC No. 75254 with another, differentcorn plant that is not PHN82 and plants and parts thereof produced fromthe F₁ hybrid seed.
 3. A tissue culture initiated from the cells of thecorn plant according to claim 2.